This is the tech hangout for an early twenty something who doesn't look, and doesn't certainly feel like it, is a perfectionist and standards-compliant, hates typos and grammatical errors in official documents, is a little cynic and hilariously witty and thinks he should be invited for "The Bachelor" (he has all the capabilities :\)
Talks about himself in third-person...
And is certainly a geek!

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Realized it last Saturday after the uncourteous man behind the counter didnt tell me the exact documents to be attached with the form, and rudely asked me to come back on Monday.

Realized it when the "Information Desk" person was more interested in hearing the grievances of the fairer sex.

Realized when the issuer of the document unashamedly asks for 300 bucks upfront for an "urgent" issuance.

Realized it when the two-hour long wait in the queue (throw in the sweltering heat for a good measure) was offered to be cut short for only a meagre Rs. 100, and the submission promised to be completed in only 5 minutes.

Hate myself for succumbing to the offer, and dishing out 200 bucks to get my stuff done.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Yeah, its back. The Moto V3 Razr is back in the market.
Umm, not exactly in the market, but with me :) But dunno why I dont feel that elated :(
The old and faithful Nokia 3220 is on for a little rest.
For those who dont know what the heck I am talking about, can read this, this and this.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Continuing the discussion that has ensued as the result of my previous post, while many people think that this is a controversial topic, I have a few reservations of my own.

Iranian Premier Ahmedinejad might say that this is a conspiracy of Israel, but we need to get a few of the facts straight(but I hope I wouldnt be offensive to any Hindu readers).

Most of the religions in the world worship ultimately one God. Although the Hindus ultimately believe in Brahma (the creator of the universe), they worship Vishnu (the preserver of the universe) and Shiva (the ultimate destroyer).

According to the mythology, this is the age of Vishnu, and since Brahma's duty is done and Shiva's era not yet arrived, they worship Vishnu.

Vishnu visits the earth often when there is much lawlessness, and restores the order of justice. When he has to do a really impressive deed, he gets into the form of an avatar, and there are 12 avatars in all, the last one being the Kalki Avatar that has caused all this furore.

Although the first avatar story bears a strong resemblance to that of Prophet Noah (AS), it is, indeed, a very distorted view of it. If we take the view that they think of prophets as avatars, we cannot help but wonder why the prophets should appear in the guise of animals (naouzubillah). And that also a boar?

The origins might have been straight, but the Kalki avatar comes after the delibrations of 10 intermediate avatars (if we assume that they have distorted Hazrat Noah's (AS) story). None of this I found very credible, but they were indeed interesting.

But then, interesting are the myths of Greece too, and that of Romans, or the people of Oceania, or wherever.

The Kalki avatar is believed to be a "machine-man". I have no idea what a machine-man is, and what I think it means, never fits accurately to our prophets. All of our prophets were (thanks to God), human beings.

All of this was a case of adapting a personality to a pre-held notion. Like the recent blasphemer in Larkana that made people believe that he is actually Imam Mehdi. He forgot about the seal, and is languishing in jail with a death penalty on his head.

Regarding this whole thing as true (not discarding it in its entirety), is a case of accepting the present form of Hinduism as a true religion. Tantamount to that of thinking the Greeks were on the right path...

Friday, February 10, 2006

Pundit Vedaprakash Upadhyay, a Hindu professor, in his stunning book claims that the description of the" Avatar" found in the Holy books of the Hindu religion, matches the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Recently in India, a fact-revealing book has been published. The Book has been the topic of discussion and gossip all over the country.The author of this book, Pundit Vedaprakash Upadhyay, is a learned and famous Hindu professor. The book is Kalki Avatar. Pundit Vedaprakash Upadhyay is a Hindu Brahmin of Bengali origin. He is a research scholar at Allahabad University. After years of research, he published this book, and no less than eight pundits have endorsed and certified his points of argument as authentic. According
to Hindu belief, the Hindu world awaits "the guide and leader", named Kalki Avatar. However, the description as given in the holy scriptures of the Hindu points only to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) of Arabia.Therefore, the Hindus of the whole world should not wait any longer for the arrival of Kalki Avatar (the spirit) and should readily accept Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) as Kalki Avatar. These are the FACTS verified and supported by eight other eminent pundits. What the author says is that Hindus, who are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kalki Avatar, are simply subjecting themselves to never ending pain. Because, such a great messenger has already arrived and departed from this world fourteen centuries ago.
The author produces the following sound evidences from the Vedas and other holy books of the Hindu religion in support of his claim:
1. In the Puranas (Hindu scriptures), it is stated that Kalki Avatar would be the last messenger of God in this world. He would be for guidance of the whole world and all human beings.
2. According to a Hindu religion prediction the birth of Kalki Avatar would take place in an isle, which again according to Hindu religion is Arab Region.
3. In books of Hindus, the names of the father and the mother of Kalki Avatar are given as VISHNUBHAGAT and SUMAANI respectively. If we examine the meaning of these names we shall come to some very interesting conclusion. VISHNU (meaning God) + BHAGAT (meaning Slave). Slave of God = ABDULLAH (in Arabic) is the name of Prophet's (PBUH) Father.
SUMAANI (meaning peace or calmness).Aamenah (in Arabic means peace) is the name of Prophet's (PBUH) Mother.
4. In the religious books of Hindus, it is mentioned that the staple food of Kalki Avatar would be dates and olives and he would be the most honest and truthful person in the region. Without any doubt the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is acclaimed to possess these qualities.
5. It is stated in Vedas (holy book of Hindu Religion) that the birth of Kalki Avatar would take place in an honorable clan. This perfectly fits the Quraysh where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) belonged to.
6. God would teach Kalki Avatar through His messenger (angel) in a cave. Allah taught Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) through His messenger Jibraeel (Gabriel), in a cave known as Ghaar-e-Hira.
7. God would provide Kalki Avatar with a very speedy horse to ride and travel the whole world and the seven skies. Indication of burraq (Horse) and Me'raaj (the night when Prophet [PBUH] travelled the seven skies).
8. God would provide Kalki Avatar with divine help. This was particularly proved in the Battle of Uhud.
9. Another dazzling account given about Kalki Avatar was that he would be born on the 12th of a month. Whereas the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was born on the 12th of Rabbi ul Awwal (Hijra Calendar).
10. Kalki Avatar would be an excellent horse rider and a swordsman.
The author here draws the attention of Hindus that the real days of horses and swords have gone and the present time of guns and missiles. So it would be foolish on the part of those who still expect Kalki Avatar, who should be an excellent rider and swordsman to come. In fact, the divine book, the Holy Qur'an, contains qualities and signs attributed to Kalki Avatar reflecting on the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

The author has made a convincing case out of it, but there are various discrepancies. For one, if you decide to believe it, you are indirectly asserting that Hinduism is a true religion, and that their books are infact on the same level as Bible or Torah or Quran.

This proves to be the single most disconcerting thing that puts one off. And this is how, it proves itself to be a hoax. For more information, please read this.

If you get a similar mail, please avoid forwarding it in your Islamic euphoria. Islam is the greatest religion, and it doesnt need substantiating claims from Pagan Scriptures.

Monday, February 06, 2006

I am sorry but I can see there is something acutely terrible going on with Blogger. The last post isn't showing up in the Dashboard, and that's why the comments window won't open. I hope this post shows up fine, and all of those, who wanted to comment on the previous post, can comment here :)